Ljubljana, Slovenia declared "European Green Capital 2016"

LJUBLJANA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, was declared by the European Commission the "European Green Capital 2016" on Tuesday in Copenhagen, Denmark, to acknowledge the city's contribution to environmental protection.

It is a recognition of Ljubljana for its efforts in raising environmental awareness amongst its citizens, for its sustainability strategy, its implementation of a range of urban green measures and its impressive transportation network, the European Commission said in a press release.

Zoran Jankovic, mayor of Ljubljana, was invited to the European Green Capital Award Ceremongy.

The annual European Green Capital Award encourages cities to improve urban life quality through better urban planning and management and concern for the environment.

Six European cities, including Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Nantes, Copenhagen, and Bristol, have been awarded the title since Stockholm firstly got the honor in 2010.